A seventh place finish for the erstwhile title leader Gordon wasn't enough to keep him ahead in the standings although for much of the race the points lead ebbed and flowed between himself and Johnson as both drivers struggled with the handling of their cars. But while Johnson's team finally found the sweet spot Gordon's crew were left scratching their heads as the four-times champ had to scrabble around for a top ten finish for the second week in a row. Although 30 points is not an insurmountable gap Gordon must now pull something really special out of his hat such is the current form of Johnson.
An eleventh place finish for Stewart just about keeps him in mathematical contention in the points standings although he should be ruled out officially next weekend at Phoenix as will Carl Edwards, who came into Sunday's race fourth in points less than 300 behind the lead but who leaves Texas fifth overall more than 350 points back after a dismal afternoon in which his #99 Roush-Fenway entry started the race with a loose sway bar. His team finally fixed the problem but by that time Edwards was three laps off the pace and he could only finish 26th.
Clint Bowyer, the only other driver who came into Sunday's race with a semi-realistic shot at the title also took a major hit in the points when he made an unscheduled green flag pitstop with what he believed to be a loose wheel. From a safe top ten position Bowyer suddenly found himself two laps down and outside the top 25 and while he eventually recovered to 19th place, he is now nearly 200 points behind Johnson and Gordon.
With the rest of the Chase field imploding one by one the final two races look to be a straight fight between the two Hendrick teammates although whether the teacher or the student will emerge victorious when the smoke clears is yet to be decided.
![Jimmie Johnson - Kobalt/Lowe's Chevrolet [pic credit: image.net]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/300249.jpg)
